What I Learned About Organization, Month 6

This was an interesting month.  I hit a major wall this month, and I'm pretty sure it had to do with staying up late with my husband to watch the end of one of the old seasons of a TV series we used to watch, like years ago.  (learning again, that when I'm tired, especially when I sleep past that magic time that day makes the day go smoothly, I'm sooo less effective as a parent and things fall apart around here!)  We enjoyed ourselves, but I'm going to try not to get sucked into the next season, see if I can avoid some grisly Jack Bauer torture scenes.

Here is what I learned this month:

1 - I've decided there are three critical times of day for me that affect the outcome of my whole entire day.  When I'm behind on one of these, things really snowball in a bad way.  One is the time I get up, the next is when I exercise, and the last is what time we have dinner.

2 - It is hard to get organized when I'm unorganized.  :)

3 - Some organization needs a simple framework.  I planned out activities and dates with my husband and kids for the whole year.  At first, it was a bit daunting to sit down and know where to start.  First I filled in all the set dates, like days off school.  I tried to decide how many bigger activities my time and budget would allow (for example, after looking into cultural events-- ahhh....there were so many great ones!  I want to expose the kids to so many wonderful things!  But one trip to the theater is a big chunk of money!). Then, for better or worse, I decided on one big activity a month, a date with one child per month, two dates with my husband, etc.  I planned in one story time at the library per month, instead of weekly, in order to give us time to explore and play close to home.  I planned which days of the week I'd dedicate to which activities, with the kids and around the house.  I decided I'd dedicate the weeks of the month's according to my priorities-- so my weekend to go out with my husband comes before my weekend doing something with the kids/as a family.  This helped give structure to my plan.  I made a list of activities for the year, keeping in mind our overall goals with  our motto Learn, Do, Be.  For example, I thought January would be the perfect month to practice our restaurant skills.  I scheduled a trip to the lake in August, when the water is warmest.  A trip to the homeless shelter in November.  None of these have to be set in stone, but this way I can be more purposeful about how we spend time together, and I can see a visual reminder of something we should be doing!

4 - Starting something is half the battle.  This was true for the things I planned, and also for quality time this month.  Spending time together has been the best part of my project, but I had a really hard time forcing myself to put down the laundry or dishes or whatever it was this month in order to have our quality time together.  Once I started doing something with the kids, though, it became enjoyable and easier, helping me push through a tempting rough patch.  (and getting out really helps me when I'm challenged this way because I'm not distracted by all my to-do's!  I made a new schedule for myself, filling it in, again, with a rough framework of have-to's and priorities and then filling in the gaps.

5 - Teamwork!  I was drawing a major blank on planning our family home evenings for the year.  So, imagine this, I asked my husband and he had a great idea.  Why not -- Learn, Do, Be?  So the first week of each month will be learning something religious, second week will be secular (from our list of things we want them to learn before leaving home), third week we'll actually put them into practice, primarily by "doing" things for others, and the last week we'll focus on the "be" part.  Just having a framework really helped the planning to breeze by!

6-  Simplifying can reduce my stress and protect my wallet, while making me more relaxed and fun to be around, giving those golden moments of happy unplanned times as a parent.

7 - Organization doesn't have to be fancy-- it just has to work for me.  I love this woman's approach to organization.  This is what I'm going to do-- I have a binder and a notebook (on her blog, see "Around the House" and then "Life Binder," neither one fancy)!

 8 - Sometimes I have to accept that some days are just going to be crazy!  No matter what I do!  I need to cultivate a sense of humor about these times so I can laugh rather than cry.  And talk to other moms who are going through the same thing.  So I can see that these days aren't forever.  And some things really are funny.  (one of the things I loved about I Didn't Plan to Be a Witch (Eyre) was her funny re-countings of some of their crazy times-- and I know that her children turned out great!  Wow was it nice to feel like I'm not alone, and some of these things really are funny.)

Doing this planning was a bit onerous, but once I got the hang of it, it was kind of fun!  I feel invigorated and excited for next month!  Now that I have the hard part behind me, things should go a bit smoother.

New goals for next month and a six month recap coming up!

How do you help yourself get organized?  I'm kind of loving yearly planning right now, I did it for scouts and it was awesome.  One big planning session, then sit back and enjoy my work with minor tweaks here and there.  And often I can use the same plan the next year. 

Gettin' in the Picture

Ok, I promised an update and I'm still working on it! 

But here is something I've been wanting to blog about anyway.  About getting in photos more often with my kids.  I love the heck out my kids!  And I want to capture that on film-- so they can remember just how much I loved them.  Because we have had some great times together.

Only, there are a couple of obstacles.  One is the way I look.  I had braces for 4 years, yes, count 'em, four years.  And I have all these crooked teeth.  Someday I want to get them fixed, but not yet.  Seems like doing my hair/make-up is kind of spotty many days.  And I'm not the most fashionable person-- I care, I really do-- but, lets just say-- baby and/or multiple toddlers with me 24/7 for the last 11 years!  And when it comes right down to it, usually I feel like something else should be a priority.  And no matter what I do with myself these days, I'm starting to look old.  Another one, that I always gain weight right after I have a baby (but I can't lose it because I'm nursing...even though it is hard for me, I figure the baby will be much happier if I have nursed him/her than if I can fit right into my pre-pregnancy clothes).  So I hate seeing myself in pictures with all those pounds to lose-- it reminds me how little control I have over how much I eat, especially sweets. 

Bottom line:  I cringe just about every time I see myself in pictures, for some reason or other. 

(BUT guess what? My kids don't care if my teeth are crooked or I have a few pounds to lose.  They wouldn't trade the most beautiful, most wealthy, most powerful, most charming person in the world right now for their own mother!  Maybe that will change :) in just a few years)



Obstacle number 2: I am so super embarrassed to ask someone to take my picture!  I have really craved some pictures with my last two babies, but these two obstacles get in my way!

Obstacle number 3:  I have learned to love documenting the beauties of childhood, and especially my children's moments, behind the camera lens.  But that also means I have been out of the picture even more.  (and sometimes I have to remember to put it down so I can take part in the activity, and not just be a bystander)

So this blog post on the Power of Moms really resonated with me.  About "getting in the picture."  About getting over whatever it is, so my kids will have pictures of us together!  So they can see how much fun we had together, and how much we loved eachother. 

This blog especially inspires me to "get in the picture."  The love this little family has for eachother just oozes out of their photos.  There is so much joy-- and loving, happy looks.  (it helps that they are gorgeous)

Ok, see that picture below?  I could dissect all the things about myself that... ugggh.  But look how happy we look!

Do you "get in the picture" with your little ones?  What deters you, if you don't?   Take the "get in the picture" challenge with me!

Organization Update (Again?)

(Great read.  -- hey, it even works for Halloween! ha--  More about this book next week)

Um, I'm supposed to be organizing this month, and what I'm learning is that it is hard to get organized when I am unorganized!  Ha.

I sat in front of my computer on Monday and all was blank.  So I'm going to hunker down right now (I know my month should be over already!  aaaaaagggh!) and finish what I started, like, six weeks ago. 

I'm glad I didn't finish, though, because I've gotten some new insights on planning/organization.

It's all well and good to get organized and try to maximize one's day.  But what I've gotten here and here and here (see Of Regrets and Resolutions-- awesome!) is a little perspective.  There are so many good things to choose from in life.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could choose all of them.  And isn't there a lot of pressure right now to do it all?  As a culture we are infected with hurry sickness, myself included, to squeeze in as much as possible into life.  But what are we trying to squeeze in?  How much will the things we do today really matter when life is done?

Is more really better?  More toys just add more work in clutter.  More activities make us rush around with little time to think or connect or see other people around us that might need our help.

So as I prepare to attack my schedule and planning, I'm also going to be focusing on what to cut out.  Off the top of my head, I think I could check Facebook less (all the political updates are driving me crazy anyway) and substitute some real face time with people I care about.  Trying to stave off my continous snack attack would give me more time and a smaller waistline.  :)  Even if I give up one little five minute time waster (ahem, Instagram), I can make those five minutes meaningful to one of my children.

During a recent event, I found that all my children were happily occupied and I found myself beckoned by some beautiful craggy autumn trees through some underbrush to the bank of a small river, that glinted orange and yellow in the lazy afternoon sunlight.  I remembered -pause- that somewhere under the busy mom is a person who had (wait, has!) goals and dreams for my life.  I realized I need to be alone more often-- for a little clarity, in my own life and so I can better help those in my care.  Then one minute later my cute husband and baby came trundling along behind me, with little happy smiles on their faces.  Happy sigh.  Alone time over, but I'm lucky to have these dear people to keep me running!  I just need to make sure I'm running where I want to go, enjoying the journey, and not just the destination.

What do you cut out of your schedule in order to simplify?  What is your favorite quiet moment?  And how do you fend off guilt when you say "no?"   

As a side note, you can get I Never Planned to be a Witch (Eyre)-- I think-- for free on the Power of Moms website if you sign up for emails.  I have a link in my sidebar.  It is an encouraging, simple book that I really enjoyed and felt inspired by. 

Halloween Party

We had a Halloween Party with some cousins.  It was a wonderful day.  We enjoyed a beautiful and happy day together in the gorgeous weather before the weather melted into drizzly rain and chilly days a couple of days later.

Just toilet paper rolls and cupcake liners.

When my six year-old couldn't find her bee costume, her sister pulled out her sewing kit and made her a little skirt!  It was halfway done when I found her making it.  I was really impressed with that thoughtful act.  And look how cute it turned out!  With no help or input from me.

Little boy discovered this little "bike" and had a great time.  Whoever thought of putting no pedals on a toy for this age is a genius.

I just want to eat up this little boy!

Gourd bacci (sp?) ball was a hit.  Very funny.  After the boys played, my son and I played with my father-in-law and his woman.  Made for a good laugh! 

Weekend Update

This is how we started our weekend:

Don't worry.  We are fine.  I'll explain tomorrow.

Trying to squeeze in a little extra organization time for my project today.  How was your weekend?

Harry Potter Care Package

I'm a little embarrassed to even post this, because it is sorta like, look at me!  But, to borrow from another blogger, what is the point of blogs if you can't brag about pointless stuff like that (here)?  I also thought it might be fun in case anyone else wants to do something nice for someone they love before the month of October is over!

I have some dear friends in another state that I miss very much.  This was easy and fun.  I already had these cute treat boxes I bought at my local grocery store.  And the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans (here).  And a chocolate frog mold (here-- cheap!).  I used to be so intimidated making my own chocolates but it is so easy! (instructions here ...I just melt my chocolate in the microwave, spoon it into the mold, freeze it for 20 minutes, and Voila!)  I bought some fizzy or otherwise weird candies that fit in with Harry Potter themes, then I took ordinary candies and made labels on my computer using the Blackadder font and brown scrapbook paper that looked old, then burned the edges right over my gas stove (hmmm...not recommended, I almost burned my fingers off).  If I had more time, I would have tried to make cuter wrappings with bows or something fun but I didn't have much time so I just wrapped them in Saran Wrap.  And put a label on top addressed to the witches or wizards on such-and-such Drive, from the witch at Honeydukes, _______ (state) division.

So fun and easy!

Just for a little pick-me-up today, here are some photos of E in the headband he has been wearing around.  It is so funny.  Suddenly I'll see him wearing this headband.  He will wear it in various positions, take it off and put it on over and over all day (the last couple of days).  I think it is super cute.  Kind of funny I had some pictures of him vrooming his cars all around in his headband.  (sorry, they were all blurry!)  When he puts the headband on he will sometimes say, in a high-pitched, pleased voice: "pretty....boy!"

Can you tell he has three older sisters?  (Today one of them said, "love you sonny!" and he said "lub...you...Tae-don!"  so cute)

Happy weekend!  We have been a bit lazy around here with no school the last two days.  We might go do something fun this afternoon though! 

Patchin' It -- All For Some Little Punkins

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday.  This is an activity we look forward to each year.   The air was so crisp and fall-ish.  We got dirty and got stickers in our shoes but it was a refreshing outing!  And we came home with some little pumpkins.  I've got a fun craft planned for them....and it involves chalkboard paint, inspired by another blogger.  I can't wait to try it out and fill you in!

It is so hard to get this little boy to sit still for a picture!  Or anything else for that matter!  Busy, busy age!  But I love it.

I've re-assessed, and I'm going to revise my goals for this month.  I've decided that being unorganized impedes even my best intentions at being a good mother.

So I'm going to forget the teaching goals for this month and focus on organization.  I need to tie up loose ends from the first week of this month, when I did some planning and organizing but didn't quite finish.  And give a re-look to that old schedule of mine, see if I can make it work this time, even for one day. :)

I've had a little setback with exercising, since I've been having some big troubles with my knees.  But I'm noticing a major difference in my energy levels and mood since I haven't exercised in the last couple of weeks, so I'm going to try something new.  All while I try to keep up those great changes from previous months.  (there are a few minor things I haven't continued, I'll give a master update at the six month mark, coming right up)

I'll let you know how it goes!  Until then, enjoy this beautiful weather!  How is fall in your neck of the woods?  What is your favorite fall activity?